We use direct actions to interrupt the status quo and bring awareness to key issues and different forms of state violence affecting the root causes of the plight of black and brown people around the world.,

We stand against the many forms of state violence: police killings, mass incarceration, poverty and others. We stand for justice for Tony Robinson and ALL Black lives lost at the hands of the state. We stand for community and self determination. We will not stop until we are free.

YGB Events

YGB raising awareness and building community

On, Monday, July 18th at 5pm, Groundwork, YGB, and Freedom Inc. held an hour-long sign-making session. This sign-making was followed by a 6-8:30pm training for direct action and civil disobedience for organizing and protesting. This took place at the Pres House, 731 State Street. More info here.

On May 25th, join LakeFrontRow to watch the Madison-area premiere of "19, The Tony Robinson Shooting: A Case of Deadly Bias", brought to you by director Tim Poehlmann-Tynan. This film analyzes forensic evidence and Madison Police Department audio/video recording to push back against the conflicting narratives of the unjustified shooting of Tony Robinson.

According to LakeFrontRow Cinema, "against an overwhelming soundtrack of newsreel audio and hip-hop, 19 is an uncompromising exorcism of Madison's relationships with race and violence. But it's also a humanizing document in search of justice, truth and love. While moving images all on their own, footage of city-wide protests and candlelight vigils also buttress the importance of Robinson as a young man, as person of color, and as human."

Following the moving and educational film, a panel will be held with the director as well as WI State Representative Chris Taylor and YGB's Brandi Grayson.

This Friday, many of Madison's freedom fighters, including Freedom Inc., Groundwork, the No Dane County Jail Working Group, YGB, and the Madison community, will be coming together for a rally to protest the one year anniversary of the non-indictment of Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny.Kenny abused his authority as a police officer last year when he heartlessly murdered Tony Robinson, a boy who was in need of help, not execution. It is clear that the Madison Police have too much of a negative presence in the lives of our Black community members.So that's why it's alarming that the MPD is about to spend $5 million per year in taxpayer money to hire 40 new police officers. This is not needed in Madison - cities with a similar population and crime rate to Madison function properly with 60 less officers than the MPD currently has, but yet we're still adding more.Instead of increasing the amount of community-controlling police presence, we should be spending the $5 million on real community concerns, such as investing in Black mental health and providing economic empowerment programs to impoverished and marginalized Black neighborhoods. 'Build the people, not the jails!"If you think that the Madison government and police department should listen to the needs of their own people, make sure to join the rally, this Friday at 3pm, at Cathedral Park.Click here for more info.

Art as Activism WorkshopMay 2, 6-8pm, Arts/Literature Laboratory in MadisonFor a sliding scale donation of $10-50 dollars, you can join the Flourish! Creative Development Series, which aims to empower artists and advocate for their legal, financial, and social interests. They will provide workshops on fair pricing, intellectual property, and how to navigate biases in the art world, in an effort to empower our communities for the better! Click here for more info.

Demonstration Against Sexual AssaultMay 3, 7-8:30pm, Top of Bascom HillOn this day, we will march against the sexual violence that has occurred repeatedly and shamefully throughout the school year on the UW Madison campus. We are done waiting for someone else to solve the issue - we have the right to feel safe walking home, and to speak out against these terrible events. So, come be a part of the movement against on-campus sexual assault! Click here for more info.

JUSTICE4TONY Reception at MMoCA Gallery NightMay 6, 5-9pm, at the Social Justice Center in MadisonOn this day, to honor the 14 month anniversary of the unjust shooting of Tony Robinson, Tony's friends and family will hold an event, which includes an intimate photographic art exhibit documenting the difficult emotional times the Madison community has faced in the aftermath of his brutal murder. There will be refreshments and a strong sense of community. Click here for more info.

Restorative JusticeMay 17, 6:30-8:30pm, Urban League of Greater MadisonThis event will focus on the topic of “Accountability and Engaging the Community in a Non-Punitive Approach to Crime." It will be held at Madison’s Urban League. Click here for more info.

Racial Justice Tipping Point KickoffMay 21st, 9am-5pm, James Reeb Unitarian Universalist CongregationOn May 21st, the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ) will be holding a gathering and training for members of the fight for racial justice. After learning about one another's work, participants will move on to training, in which they will learn ways to gain more support and a larger following for their organizations. The three breakout sessions provided will include "organizational change for racial justice", "direct action", and "engagement for base building". The training team will include YGB's Brandi and Z!, along with many other freedom fighters. The timing couldn't be better for a day of unity, project development, and community organizing - a strong and productive step in the right direction! Click here for more info.

Public Meeting on Penn Park Shelter Replacement ProjectMay 25th, 6pm, Atrium Community Room at Village on ParkThe city of Madison Parks Division is holding a public input meeting to hear what the community has to say about the proposed shelter replacement project underway in Penn Park. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.

To empower our communities and our people, we must come to these events to show up and show out!

On May 21st, the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ) will be holding a gathering and training for members of the fight for racial justice. Since we as a people are stronger united than divided, a main purpose of this event is to hear from other participants about their progress in achieving their goals. After learning about one another's work, participants will move on to training, in which you will learn ways to get more support and a larger following for your organization. The three breakout sessions provided will include "organizational change for racial justice", "direct action", and "engagement for base building". The training team will include YGB's Brandi and Z!, along with many other freedom fighters.

The timing couldn't be better for a day of unity, project development, and community organizing - a strong and productive step in the right direction!

Stand with US!!! We are Marching Forth on March 4th in honor of the life of Tony Robinson.
Tony was 19 years old when he was viciously murdered at the hands of Madison Police Office Matt Kenny. He was unarmed when he was gunned down by Matt Kenny on March 6, 2015.
Matt Kenny is still employed as a Police Office with the Madison Police Department. He has been granted the ability to move on with his life and the ability to

This is a free event; donations will be accepted. Snacks will be provided. The event is sponsored by: Operation Welcome Home, Groundwork, Freedom Inc, Young Gifted and Black and QuARE.
Livingston will give a talk about his work addressing racism from a Black mental health perspective. He will engage the audience in a conversation about how to survive and defy the prevalent racism and racial disparities that have been highlighted recently, but have

OWH is a grassroots organization fighting for Human Rights and to end the root causes of homelessness. Join OWH Freedom Schools focused on making housing a human right, ending the criminalization of homelessness, and working for Black liberation. 2pm-4pm Room 302

YGB needs your voice in order to get an investigation by the United Nations as we elevate the conversation of of racial disparities in Madison and fight for justice for Tony Robinson, the unarmed black teen murdered at the hands of officer Matt Kenny of the Madison Police Department

ABOUT US

The Young Gifted and Black Coalition is a circle of young leaders determined to end state violence and raise the voice of communities of color. We are young Black Women, Queer Folks, Straight Folks and Feminist Men who are fighting for Black Liberation. Our focus is on the low income black communities that our core members call home.